While spas have traditionally been relaxing retreats for simple rest, soothing body treatments and luxurious pampering, times they are a changin'. Individuals have responded in great numbers to the age of fitness and nutrition and have requested that spas respond as well. Tied into this is growing consumer awareness about good nutrition and nutritional supplements. The spa industry, however, has just begun to realize the benefits of nutrition in the lives of their clients and only recently have a limited number of spas jumped on the nutritional supplement bandwagon.
There are three major schools of thought as far as whether or not supplements should be part of a spa's program. Some feel that nutritional supplements are a welcome addition to spa programs, while others are interested but have yet to do anything about it. Then there are those that are reluctant to consider supplements at all.
The question then, is what are spas doing these days in regards to nutrition and dietary supplements? Are they offering vitamins or supplements? Are they offering skin care products with added nutraceuticals? Or are they just advocating a healthy eating and exercise regimen as a means to healthy living? The answer, in fact, is all three.
Getting The Dirt
According to Hannelore Leavy, Executive Director of The Day Spa Association, West New York, NJ, spas have begun to revamp their programs to include not only a pampering aspect but also an aspect of wellness. This runs the gamut from eating good food and relaxing in hot mineral spring baths to two weeks of intense training and a strict diet. The fact remains that each spa has its own character so programs vary and goals are always tailored to the individual. The type of spa-whether it is a day spa, destination spa or resort spa-could make a world of difference in terms of the types of programs offered to guests.
For instance, a day spa is more likely to stay within the traditional definition of a spa by offering beauty and skin care services and the reason is obvious. It is relatively difficult to find a day spa that caters to the individual in a nutritional aspect because of a guest's length of stay. And according to some day spa executives like Jennifer Maner, Spa Director of the Gadabout Spa, Tucson, AZ, and the day spa chair for the International Spa Association (ISPA), beauty and yoga just do not connect. "People don't want to come for beauty treatments wearing a leotard; it just doesn't work that way," Ms. Maner explained. "These days, spas look more to integrate wellness by doing invasive or advanced procedures such as exfoliation or electrolysis."
However, nutrition is an up and coming market that is being watched very closely, said Ms. Maner. "We don't yet have nutritionists right now but we are looking toward implementing nutritional information through value added techniques," she said, adding that providing nutritional information through videos, tapes or CD's while a client is being treated is a logical stepping stone to making a total move into the nutrition market.
At a destination or resort spa, nutritional counseling is easier to incorporate since a guest's average stay is one to two weeks. According to Ms. Leavy, nutrition has not really been a top priority until now. Today, she said, some spas are making their move into the nutrition market by aligning themselves with nutritionists.
Going With The Flow
While the majority of the spa industry is holding back in its promotion of dietary supplement products to its customers, there are those spas that have taken the plunge and gotten involved in the nutraceuticals area. One resort that has adopted dietary supplements and vitamins as a part of its nutrition program is The Palms at Palm Springs, Palm Springs, CA. At The Palms, the facility is staffed with registered nurses that advise clients on an individual basis, verbally or through literature, about nutritional needs. The resort offers a line of supplements and vitamins formulated and distributed by Fitness, Inc., Ojai Valley, CA. The line consists of a complete multivitamin and mineral program, individually packaged for daily intake. In addition, the spa also sells skin care products that contain added nutraceuticals like vitamin E.
With regard to food, the spa is more concerned about a moderate calorie diet than a low calorie diet. Operations Manager Marilu Rogers explained, "As we approach the next millennium more and more individuals are interested in fitness and wellness programs. We will see more mind and body disciplinary programs." A majority of the clientele at the Palms are interested in weight loss, but relaxation, stress reduction, fitness and nutrition remain important factors as well.
The Aspen Club & Spa, Aspen, CO, a destination spa that includes luxury pampering, medical wellness, nutrition and diet and sports conditioning, sells a full line of vitamins and dietary supplements. The "Aspen Harmony" line includes chewable echinacea and vitamin C, "Multi-flavonoid 8," "Femarin for Women" and "Stress Less." Further, many of the other products offered contain nutraceutical components such as tea oil, vitamins A, C and E, blue/green algae (spirulina) and folic acid. The spa also keeps with the nutritional theme in its cafe, which serves mostly organic foods. Lisa Wagenbach of the sales and marketing department for The Aspen Club & Spa explained that the club does have an on-call nutrition consultant and there are doctors on the premises but mostly to perform medical procedures. However, doctors and consultants both provide dietary information and recommend supplements that contain general antioxidants.
Sitting On The Fence
The second group in the spa industry are the "fence-sitters," those who remain wary of the nutrition market and for now would just rather watch and maybe dabble-a little. Gurney's Inn, Montauk, NY, is an example of one spa that has stepped into the nutrition pool, though not with both feet-yet. Affiliated with Stoneybrook Hospital For Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Gurney's aims to provide its clients with the most up to date information on health and wellness. The premises is outfitted with doctors and nutritionists and remains a unique getaway by offering a "true" Thalasso Center (sea water therapy), the only spa of its type in the country. In keeping with European tradition, the spa is linked with the medical field and is likened to a medical facility.
The spa was built 25 years ago into a cliff over looking the Atlantic Ocean and has just begun to revamp its programs to make way for the health conscious individual by offering a new menu geared toward nutrition. Susan Yunker, RN for Gurney's, explained, "There is a nutrition trend that everyone seems to be picking up on, but rather than us (the spa industry) being vulnerable to trends, I think we are the trend setters." However, although Ms. Yunker advises clients on taking the "Invite" vitamin and mineral supplement line, manufactured by Mariposa Botanicals, New York, NY, she had some reservations about other supplements. "I agree with selling Invite because it is mineral based, has plant nutrients and it is not synthetic. However, I don't suggest taking 'megadoses' of vitamins or minerals," she commented. "Nutrition should ultimately come from food, if you want a 'Powerbar' eat an apple."
"Everything is becoming nutrition-oriented and with spas, first it was all about weight loss, minimal food and dieting," she said. "Now the trend is more about nutrient-rich food and a moderate calorie diet as opposed to a minimal calorie diet," Ms. Yunker said.
Like Ms. Yunker, Dr. Alan Whayler of Green Mountain at Fox Run, Ludlow, VT, is not sure where he stands in the nutrition market because in his eyes, good nutrition is a matter of eating right. In other words, he is focused more on a non-dieting atmosphere and has endorsed eating to lose weight. To Dr. Whayler supplements are not out of the question but he also feels that his clients need to be introduced to healthy eating first before they consider supplements. For now he does suggest taking a multivitamin or calcium supplement. He also encourages clients to walk into town to get their supplements, adding exercise to the program.
As far as what the future holds in Dr. Whayler's eyes, "Spas are becoming more attuned to the fact that simply providing a pampering experience for their clients is not enough. Nutrition will become much a part of the spa industry in the coming years and those who have not traditionally provided dieticians (or nutritionists) will be forced to make that commitment."
Going Against The Grain
One person who has not chosen to go with the supplement trend is Jimmy LeSage of New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, VT. As the Founder and Director, Mr. LeSage has a strict belief that providing supplements to his clients to better their health is just another way for people in industry to "make a buck." Mr. LeSage feels that simply eating right and exercising are the only ways to become healthy and that without these two aspects, taking supplements is useless. "I don't believe in providing supplements to my guests and I don't believe it should be a part of the experience here," Mr. Lesage said.
Besides offering "Balance Bars" in the convenience store on the premises, Mr. Lesage only endorses a comfortable, casual atmosphere for guests. "Beautifully prepared meals are our product line and they are more nutritious than any supplement you could take," explained Mr. LeSage. "Our meals are prepared by a world class chef-a nutritionist can't do that."
Mr. LeSage is not alone. Carrie Davis, Marketing Director for The Marsh-A Center For Balance and Fitness, Minnetonka, MN, also feels that supplements are unnecessary for a spa's clients. Described by Fodor's Healthy Escapes guidebook as "the most comprehensive wellness center in the Midwest," The Marsh stands as a 27,000 square foot facility offering a variety of services to their clients. Although there are two licensed nutritionists on staff, the philosophy has continued to be about exercise, which Ms. Davis feels is an area not emphasized enough. "There should be an equal balance between fitness and nutrition," she said.
The Marsh requires any clients taking herbal medications or supplements to consult a physician before attending the spa for safety reasons. Ms. Davis commented, "Supplements are not something that we heavily endorse. It is more important that the individuals do what they can to get the most benefit from food or exercise." However, there is one exception. Calcium supplements are suggested, especially in the case of older women, which comprise a good portion of the population at the spa. Even in that case, though, said Ms. Davis, it is suggested that older clients engage in weight lifting or resistance training to build stronger bones.
Although it does not advise taking supplements, The Marsh does offer a line of skin care products, hair products and aromatherapy candles, some of which have added vitamin E, C and herbal combinations.
Katie Garber, Public Relations Director for Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ, one of the best known spas in the country, agrees that living a healthy life does not have to include taking supplements. "We concentrate on healthy eating, not vitamins or supplements. We do not offer that type of thing," she said. Canyon Ranch does have nutritionists on site but Ms. Garber insisted that they are there to make certain recommendations to people who need to change their lifestyle to a healthy one.
So Where Do Nutraceuticals Fit In?
Overall, most spas are still lacking in the area of nutritional supplements. Very few spas suggest that supplements be taken daily (unless medically necessary) and even fewer spas sell supplements to their clients. Most are reluctant to do so because the market is always changing and constantly growing. And spa directors believe it is hard to keep track of what product is to be trusted and what products to stay away from. The only thing that most spas will suggest is a multivitamin of some kind or in the case of older women, calcium supplements because of the risk of developing osteoporosis.
That said, some spas have made the extra effort to ride the wave and employ nutritionists as a part of the staff and that number is growing. That should bode well for the future of the nutraceuticals market, but it appears the industry still has a long way to go before this distribution segment becomes a strong one in the overall scheme of the market.
